An odd tale from Leeds in Northern England, one all the more odd given that China's swimmers have been based at Bath University as they prepare for the London 2012 Games:

A local news agency reports that "a serial pervert spied on China's Olympic swimmers from a toilet cubicle after sneaking into the women's changing rooms at a Leeds sports centre".

The athletes were said to be "shocked to spot Declan Crosbie, of Leeds, watching them as they undressed at Leeds University's The Edge centre. When staff knocked on the toilet door, Crosbie replied in a high-pitched voice. The 25-year-old, who is already on the Sex Offender Register, then ran off, with his trousers undone, to evade capture."

Leeds Magistrates' Court heard that the the incident happened less than a week after China's athletes arrived in the city. Prosecutor Karen Williams said: "Three female members reported they had seen a male looking over a cubicle at them."

Crosbie was later arrested. In 2005 he was convicted of harassment and voyeurism after climbing onto a roof to film a woman showering. In 2009 he was sentenced to three years in prison for trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Crosbie admitted trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence in relation to Friday's incident when he appeared in court yesterday. He will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court at a later date.